Game Profile - Gradius on Nintendo Wii U

A downloadable version of the classic shooter game (1986 NES version), provided through Nintendo's Virtual Console service.

The planet Gradius is under attack from the invading Bacterion Corps. Only one experimental stellar assault weapon is outfitted with enough fire power to take out the Bacterion Corps: The Vic Viper. As the pilot of the Vic Viper, you must pilot it through wave after wave of Bacterion invasion, and reach their leader's base and destroy it, or the citizens of Gradius will be lost.

Gradius is a side-scrolling shooter. Shooting certain enemies will leave a power up pod behind which can be collected to add more power to your ship. Each level features a wide variety of enemies trying to stop you, with a large boss at the end. Gameplay is for one player or two players alternating.

It was the first game to be released in the Gradius series, and the second series in terms of chronology (Scramble is considered the first).